From the moment we hear the word “coffee” we instantly associate it with a refreshing, energetic boost that takes us through the day. Unfortunately, this familiar drink many of us reach for first in the morning may come with hidden dangers that many are unaware of. Coffee is not a healthful element to add to our body on a daily basis and, if consumed in excess, it can bring harmful consequences.
Caffeine, the main active connector in coffee, is a powerful stimulant that affects our central nervous system and gives us a temporary burst of energy. After this boost ends, the substance leaves our system and causes an energy drop. This is why so many people reach for caffeinated drinks such as coffee, but the effects are often unstable and the body readily becomes tolerant of the caffeine.
Research reveals that drinking coffee, even in moderation, can significantly increase one’s heart rate and put a strain on the cardiovascular system. Moreover, people living with high blood pressure, hypertension, or diabetes should be especially wary of coffee’s ill-effects as it can further complicate their conditions.
Much like any other nutritional imbalance, caffeine can damage our hormonal health. Since the metabolic effects of coffee are so varied, it begins to impact our hormones negatively. Hormonal imbalances can seriously interrupt our daily life on a physical and mental level, and even create serious medical conditions.
For those who are anxious and suffer from conditions such as panic attacks, coffee should be avoided due to its nerve-waking properties. Although the effect from the caffeine rush can be temporary, these episodes cannot be reversed, and a single cup of coffee can trigger a serious attack.
The typical coffee cup contains 120-180 mg of caffeine. This can be associated with variations of productivity, mental clarity and cognitive speed. However, with more coffee comes more caffeine and its various side effects, such as irregular sleeping patterns, tremendous anxiety and risks of dehydration. Too much coffee can, therefore, lead to all sorts of physical and psychological issues.
Chemicals
An average cup of coffee contains numerous chemicals, and many of those are the same that are added to the food we daily consume. This can be seen as a concern since it may be a risk factor for chronic diseases. Some of these chemicals act as carcinogenic agents and scientists say that too much of these components can be linked to health problems like lung, bladder and kidney cancer.
Moreover, coffee also contains acrylamide, a toxic compound that has been classified as a possible human carcinogen. This is the same compound found in New York-style bagels and potato chips, and it’s believed to form when foods like coffee beans and potatoes are cooked at high temperature.
Furthermore, chemicals used when growing, packaging and storing coffee can accumulate in the beans and contaminate the final product. These chemicals, usually fertilizers and pesticides, come with their own dangers, not just healthily but also to the environment.
Addiction
The addiction of coffee becomes another concern. In the same way that we can become reliant on cigarettes and alcohol, caffeine can become a habit and an inseparable part of our life. Those who are more prone to addiction are often the ones that find consolation in coffee on a daily basis in order to make themselves feel better.
In the long term, regular consumption of coffee can be disturbing for the body as its constant intake leads to nausea and a need for more and more coffee to feel the same. This can be a sign of an increasing tolerance to caffeine and it can even lead to physical symptoms of agitation when not taken.
If it becomes an obsession, the tension can be even greater and lead to the manifestation of worsened mental health states. In such cases, we should try to avoid situations that lead to this sort of an addiction.
Stomach Problems
Even though some studies have concluded that a moderate cup of coffee can bring certain benefits on a physical level, that doesn’t come without consequences. It is important to note that coffee can also cause a disturbance to our gastrointestinal system, with effects that go from heartburn to digestive issues.
Apart from the power to keep our system activated, coffee doesn’t contribute anything beneficial to our body and its contents are instead absorbed through the stomach and gut. Moreover, the diuretic effect of coffee can be harmful when it causes the loss of electrolytes in our system.
Sleep Disorders
We talk about sleep deprivation frequently, as a majority of people struggle to get the necessary minutes of rest each night. Coffee can make our struggle even worse, and its consumption in the evening can deeply affect our sleeping cycles.
Caffeine acts as a stimulant and has the ability to block sleep-inducing chemicals. This means that it can prevent our bodies from completely relaxing and feeling the necessary rest. Consequently, this can lead our internal clock to become blocked or damaged and create long-term sleep issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although coffee can come with certain benefits, it is mostly more dangerous than it is beneficial. Those who already live with certain health concerns should be extra careful with coffee intake in order to not cause an imbalance their current health state. Additionally, coffee should be consumed moderately and only if necessary; it is always best to reach for natural and healthier alternatives to coffee if wanting to increase our energy levels.
